LI's American Airpower Museum, Barry Tech, Prepare HS Students For Aviation Careers

FARMINGDALE, NY — The American Airpower Museum of Farmingdale is partnering with the Nassau BOCES Joseph M. Barry Career and Technical Education (CTE) Center to offer internships for local high school students pursuing aviation careers, the museum announced.

One example is the current internship program for Aviation Operations Teacher Evan Damadeo's afternoon classes of graduating seniors.

Damadeo’s students intern every Thursday and Friday afternoon for a full year at American Airpower Museum at Republic Airport. His students are responsible for maintaining the museum’s military aircraft by cleaning and waxing them. They also learn about aircraft mechanical systems and aviation history while working at the museum. Barry Tech’s industry partner, Lawrence Starr, museum manager, has mentored Barry Tech high school student interns at AAM for 10 years.

Damadeo graduated with a bachelor of aeronautical science degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, where he obtained his commercial single and multi-engine instrument airplane rating, plus a certified flight instructor-instrument while completing college. He has also been chief flight instructor and general manager of a local fixed based operator on Long Island since 2015.

Other Barry Tech courses prepare students for the Federal Aviation Administration Private Pilot Written Exam, plus provide aircraft flight training that can be credited toward a private pilot license. Some students supplement their flight training at Republic Airport with private lessons enabling them to complete their first solo flight and earn their private pilot license while still in high school.

Barry Tech of Westbury is a CTE center for 11th and 12th grade students from Nassau schools. Aside from Aviation Operations, other internships cover automotive repair, carpentry, computers, cosmetology, criminal justice, culinary arts, dental assistant, fashion design, HVAC/plumbing, law enforcement and nursing, among others. After a two-year internship, students receive certificates and pursue part and/or full-time jobs, or even college, based on their Barry Tech educational experience.

Businesses interested in partnering with Barry Tech, taking their students as interns or hiring them, can contact Lauren Engels, work-based learning coordinator, at 516-622-6864, and/or email lengels@nasboces.org. For parents with children interested in attending one of Barry Tech’s career and technical education CTE programs, they should have their child speak with their high school guidance counselor for more information.